Bending the Rules (2012) Reviews

• A surprising movie starring a wrestler that isn't actually that bad. Not good, but not bad. Made me laugh. I say B

  cosmo_tiger2012-03-25

  "In one week Willy Bieber gets his just punishment because I refused to compromise." Detective Nick Blades (Edge) is on trial for corruption and Assistant DA Gold (Kennedy) is the one prosecuting him. After a mistrial occurs and Gold's car is stolen it is up to the two adversaries to work together to solve the crime that gets increasingly more sinister. Yet another movie starring a wrestler. I will have to admit that this is one of the better ones and at least they realize that it is hard to make a serious movie with one. While this boils down to just another buddy movie it is actually not that bad and kind of entertaining. There is enough comedy in this to keep you watching and even though this is fairly predictable it is still very much worth a watch. Fans of wrestler movies will love this, everyone else will enjoy this. At least I did. Overall, much better then the recent wrestler movies. I kinda liked it. I give it a B.

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• Don't judge the movie by its trailer

  thatgirl19712012-03-10

  Bending the Rules certainly isn't going to win any awards and it probably won't win over the critics, but it's an enjoyable film that simply doesn't make the most of its potential. Adam "Edge" Copeland was impressive in his first film. Though I'm not familiar with his in-ring persona at all, I thought he was very comfortable in his role and could easily have handled more. Perhaps a more serious movie will be in his future. Jamie Kennedy was fine though not memorable, while Jennifer Esposito and Alicia Witt were essentially wasted in small roles. Pruitt Taylor Vince and Philip Baker Hall were excellent in their limited screen time and Jessica Walter did not disappoint, though her character was a bit campier than I was hoping for. Her fans should especially enjoy the scene where no fewer than nine pictures of Walter herself adorn the background. Hall and Walter were perfectly cast and it seems like a film based around the Gold family could be quite a treat - either as a comedy or a family drama. The biggest problem is that while there are some great funny moments, Bending the Rules is not really funny enough to be a comedy - yet it's too absurd at times for a drama and I was torn between wanting more laughs and wishing it was a serious film. The assembled cast is certainly capable of either and deserved better. I'm giving the film an 8 out of 10 not because it's a stellar film but simply because it's a fun film that doesn't drag and it exceeded my expectations. Some of the film's weakest moments are in the trailer and if the first-day turnout in Memphis is any indication, too many people have written it off based on that alone. That's unfortunate, because the film deserves a better fate. Those shut out by the limited release only have to wait a few weeks for the DVD, which I hope will fare better than the theatrical release.

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• A decent but extremely light buddy movie!

  chrichtonsworld2012-04-09

  The trailer made the movie seem funnier. But like most trailers they picked out the best scenes. So what is left. Well,the main characters make a nice duo. Not really that much interesting interaction between them though.But it wasn't bad. Jamie Kennedy was out of his game somehow. He played a far too serious character and it did not work for him. They put him in all kinds of situations.And you would expect a character to freak out or something. But his reaction to those events was so under played that it did made you think why he was in the movie in the first place.Nice is good but a buddy movie,yes, that is what it supposed to be, requires great chemistry and fireworks.Or at least something that would put both characters on edge (no pun intended). Not being familiar with wrestling I don't really know the people involved. But I thought that the main character who played Nick Blades was very decent and extremely charming. And his charm and laid back character is extremely effective in otherwise a barely eventful movie. Decent enough for a rainy Sunday.

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• Surprise--One Grandma who really liked this movie

  stjolady2012-05-01

  I am a grandma who thought I could endure this film for the sake of my grandson but actually ended up enjoying the flick myself. I have seen several "comedy" movies lately at the theater that just did not seem very entertaining, let alone funny, and a waste of the ticket price. My grandson bought this movie and even though I was not particularly looking forward to watching the film with him, I did and found it to be quite entertaining--and YES--FUNNY! Today's filmography tends to deal with lots of heavy apocalyptic issues and dark subjects leaving fun movies (those that are acceptable as family entertainment) hard to come by. I realize this film will not go down in the annals of time as a "classic film " which I am sure was not the intent of the filmmakers to begin with but what is wrong with a little relatively clean fun that makes you laugh for a while? As far as entertainment value--this film scores much higher in my book than many of the more publicized comedy flicks. In our opinion, the film was entertaining and we felt it to be money well spent for the entertainment value. There was great chemistry between Adam (The Edge) Copeland and Jamie Kennedy. I am not a wrestling fan myself but thought Mr. Copeland was quite charming upon watching the special features included on the DVD. And who doesn't appreciate the veteran comedic acting abilities of Jessica Walters (we still miss the "Arrested Development" TV series). In summary, if you just need some laughs without all the cursing and sexual innuendo--give this movie a shot--you may be pleasantly surprised--I was.

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• Wickedly funny

  TJMBuddlake2012-03-28

  First, i'll admit that i am a fan of Edge. From tag team champion to WWE Champion. This is a first that i haven't seen, him in a leading role. His character of Nick Blades is like a blend of Axel Foley (Beverly Hills Cop), Dirty Harry and Martin Riggs (Lethal weapon). He had some good one liners and his mannerisms were just outrageous. Jamie Kennedy is still just as funny. The story wasn't great nor bad but in between. I kinda got lost and confused near the climax, but then i understood what was happening. This is one wickedly funny movie. I highly recommend it for any comedy lover. I my honest opinion, i think Edge should have his own sketch comedy. He's truly a natural and i've seen some comedic relief in him back when he was still competing in the ring. (the days of his feud with Chris Jericho up to his retirement.) Overall, this gets an 8 out of 10.

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